Self assembled tetranuclear Cu4(II), Ni4(II) [2 × 2] square grids and a dicopper(II) complex of heterocycle based polytopic ligands - Magnetic studies

The ditopic ligand PyPzOAP (N-[(Z)-amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) and the polytopic ligand 2-PzCAP (N'(3),N'(5)-bis[(1E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide) were synthesized in situ by condensation of methyl imino picolinate with 5-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide and 2-acetyl pyridine with pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide respectively. The ligands PyPzOAP and PzOAP (reported earlier, Dalton Trans., 2007, 1229) self-assemble to form homoleptic [2 × 2] tetranuclear M(4) (M = Cu(II) and Ni(II)) square grids structures [Cu(4)(PyPzOAP)(4)](NO(3))(4) (1), [Cu(4)(PzOAP)(4)](ClO(4))(4) (2) and [Ni(4)(PyPzOAP)(4)](NO(3))(4)·8H(2)O·2CH(3)CN (3). While the ligand 2-PzCAP forms a dicopper(II) complex [Cu(2)(2-PzCAP)(OH)(NO(3))(H(2)O)](NO(3))·2H(2)O (4). The complex 1 is a perfect square grid (a = 4.201 ?), whereas, 2 and 3 are almost square grids. All these compounds have been characterized by X-ray structural analyses and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. EPR studies have also been carried out for complexes 1, 2 and 4. In the Cu(4) grid (1), all the Cu(II) centers are in a distorted octahedral environment with N(4)O(2) chromophore, while, in complex 2, all four Cu(II) centers have a square pyramidal environment with N(3)O(2) chromophore. In complex 3, all four Ni(II) centers have distorted octahedral geometry with N(4)O(2) chromophore. In compound 4, the Cu(II) centers are in square pyramidal environment with N(3)O(2) chromophore. The magnetic properties of compounds 1 and 2 show the presence of intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = 5.88 cm(-1) for 1 and 4.78 cm(-1) for 2). The complex 3 shows weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction (J = -4.02 cm(-1)). While, complex 4, shows strong antiferromagnetic behavior (J = -443 cm(-1)).     

Anionic–Nonionic Mixed Surfactant Systems: Micellar Interaction and Thermodynamic Behavior

The interactions between an anionic surfactant, viz., sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and nonionic surfactants with different secondary ethoxylated chain length, viz., Tergitol 15-S-12, Tergitol 15-S-9, and Tergitol 15-S-7 have been studied in the present article. An attempt has also been made to investigate the effect of ethoxylated chain length on the micellar and the thermodynamic properties of the mixed surfactant systems. The micellar properties like critical micelle concentration (CMC), micellar composition (X_A), interaction parameter (β), and the activity coefficients (f_A and f_NI) have been evaluated using Rubingh's regular solution theory. In addition to micellar studies, thermodynamic parameters like the surface pressure (Π_CMC), surface excess values (Γ_CMC), average area of the monomers at the air–water interface (A_avg), free energy of micellization (ΔG_m), minimum energy at the air–water interface (G_min), etc., have also been calculated. It has been found that in mixtures of anionic and nonionic secondary ethoxylated surfactants, a surfactant containing a smaller ethoxylated chain is favored thermodynamically. Additionally, the adsorption of nonionic species on air/water interface and micelle increases with decreasing secondary ethoxylated chain length. Dynamic light scattering and viscometric studies have also been performed to study the interactions between anionic and nonionic surfactants used.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic and photoluminescence studies of manganese(II), cobalt(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes with a pyrazole derived Schiff base ligand

Varying coordination modes of the Schiff base ligand H₂L [5-methyl-1-H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-hydrazide] towards different metal centers are reported with the syntheses and characterization of four mononuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes, [Mn(H₂L)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂(MeOH) (1), [Co(H₂L)(NCS)₂] (2), [Cd(H₂L)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [Zn(H₂L)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4), and a binuclear Cu(II) complex, [Cu₂(L)₂](ClO₄)₂ (5). In the complexes 1-4 the neutral ligand serves as a 3N,2O donor where the pyridine ring N, two azomethine N and two carbohydrazine oxygen atoms are coordinatively active, leaving the pyrazole-N atoms inactive. In the case of complex 5, each ligand molecule behaves as a 4N,O donor utilizing the pyridine N, one azomethine N, the nitrogen atom proximal to the azomethine of the remaining pendant arm and one pyrazole-N atom to one metal center and the carbohydrazide oxygen atom to the second metal center. The complexes 1-4 are pentagonal bipyramidal in geometry. In each case, the ligand molecule spans the equatorial plane while the apical positions are occupied by water molecules in 1, 3 and 4 and two N bonded thiocyanate ions in 2. In complex 5, the two Cu(II) centers have almost square pyramidal geometry (τ = 0.05 for Cu1 and 0.013 for Cu2). Four N atoms from a ligand molecule form the basal plane and the carbohydrazide oxygen atom of a second ligand molecule sits in the apex of the square pyramid. All the complexes have been X-ray crystallographically characterized. The Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes show considerable fluorescence emission while the remaining complexes and the ligand molecule are fluorescent silent.     

Synthesis of poly-L-glutamic acid grafted silica nanoparticles and their assembly into macroporous structures

Polypeptide-coated silica nanoparticles represent an interesting class of organic-inorganic hybrids since the ordered secondary structure of the polypeptide grafts imparts functional properties to these nanoparticles. The synthesis of a poly-l-glutamic acid (PLGA) silica nanoparticle hybrid by employing N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization to synthesize the polypeptide chains and Cu catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition reaction to graft these chains onto the silica surface is reported. This methodology enables the synthesis of well-defined polypeptide chains that are attached onto the silica surface at high surface densities. The PLGA-silica conjugate particles are well dispersed in water, and have been thoroughly characterized using multinuclear ((13)C, (29)Si) solid state NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The pH-dependent reversible aggregation of the PLGA-silica particles, driven by the change in PLGA structure, has also been studied. Preliminary results on the use of aqueous dispersions of silica-PLGA for the preparation of three-dimensional macroporous structures with oriented pores by ice templating methodology are also demonstrated. These macroporous materials, comprising a biocompatible polymer shell covalently attached to rigid inorganic cores, adopts an interesting lamellar structure with fishbone-type architecture.     

Dislocation structure of α<Subscript>2</Subscript>/β two-phase Ti-21.4Al-5.6Nb alloy

An electron microscopic analysis of the dislocation structure of two-phase α₂/β Ti-21.4 at % Al-5.6 at % Nb alloy deformed at ambient temperature was performed. It was established that after deformation, the microstructure of the α₂ phase consists of mobile a-superdislocations in the basal and prism planes and of 2c + a-superdislocations in the pyramidal planes. Some dislocations with the Burgers vector [0001] in the prism planes were also observed. Deformation transfer from the α₂ to the β phase occurs only due to a-super-dislocations with a Burgers vector corresponding to the Burgers orientation relations between these phases. The reasons for the increase in plasticity in two-phase Ti₃Al with Nb alloys are discussed.     

Solvent density mode instability in non-polar solutions

We analyse the origin of the multiple long time scales associated with the long time decay observed in non-polar solvation dynamics by linear stability analysis of solvent density modes where the effects of compressibility and solvent structure are systematically incorporated. The coupling of the solute-solvent interactions at both ground and excited states of the solute with the compressibility and solvent structure is found to have important effects on the time scales. The present theory suggests that the relatively longer time constant is controlled by the solvent compressibility, while the solvent structure at the nearest-neighbour length scale dominates the shorter time constant.      

Relaxation in the wealth exchange models

We examine the concept of relaxation in the wealth exchange models that are recently proposed in econophysics to interpret wealth distributions. To quantify and characterize the process of relaxation, we define an appropriate quantity and evaluate that numerically for the systems of many agents. Also, heuristic arguments are provided in support of some numerical results.     

Dislocation structure of intermetallic Ti3Al subjected to high-temperature deformation

Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the dislocation structure of intermetallic Ti₃Al subjected to deformation at tempertures T = 1073–1273 K. The microstructure of samples subjected to high-temperature deformation is established to contain mobile superdislocations of a and 2c + a types, and single dislocations with Burgers vector [0001] are also observed on the prismatic planes. Possible models of destruction of barriers associated with 2c + a superdislocations on the pyramidal planes are discussed using the results of computer simulations of the structure of a superdislocation core in in Ti₃Al.